Niagara-on-the-Lake Celebrates 24 Years of Hosting the Original Icewine Festival
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON
The Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Festival returns January 18 to 27, 2018.
The Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Festival is a celebration of all things Icewine and one-of-a-kind experiences in the heart
of wine country. Presented by the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce, with sponsorship from the Tourism
Partnership of Niagara, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake, there is a solid
partnership in place to present memorable activities.
Back by popular demand, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Village and Icewine Cocktail Competition on Saturday,
January 19 and Sunday, January 20. The most iconic event of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Festival, when historic
Queen Street is transformed into a winter wonderland featuring extraordinary Icewines from over 20 local wineries and
Icewine inspired culinary creations from the Signature Kitchens of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Flash & Panache: Icewine
Cocktail Competition also returns for its tenth year from 9 pm to 11pm Saturday evening offering signature Icewine
cocktails for guests to taste as the judges muddle over which drink will win top honours.
Returning this year as the gala launch event for the Icewine weekend, an evening of ‘Sparkle and Ice’ on Friday January
18th hosted this year by Vintage Hotels in the Royal Cambridge at the Prince of Wales Hotel. A celebration with our
Icewinemakers sharing their favourite VQA wines paired with Icewine inspired dishes by Signature Kitchen Chefs. Join the
Sparkling Winos as they discover the tasting highlights of both wine and food, shared by the winemakers and chefs. The
evening begins with a Welcome Icewine Cocktail and is topped off with icewine in a glass made of ice, outdoors for the
celebratory fireworks show. Tickets are $95.
“Winter is a unique and magical time to discover Niagara’s wine country and showcase one of our most cherished
products, Icewine,” remarked Janice Thomson, President of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce, the event
organizers, “and we are excited to see the Sparkle and Ice reception returning for a sixth year, a must do event in the new
year! With wineries offering sparkling wine within the selection they are showcasing, there are many reasons to celebrate
the finest in Ontario wines.”
In true Niagara-on-the-Lake fashion, the chefs of the Signature Kitchens are embracing Winter by hosting a unique dinner,
White on Ice on Friday January 25. Limited to 200 attendees, this will be another memorable culinary adventure in the
Heritage District, enhanced by VQA wines from the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake – tickets are $100 per person,
available at www.niagaraonthelake.com. Live music, firepits and a starry night will create Winter memories as hors
d’oeuvres and dessert are both served outside in the Icewine Village. The main course will be served in the Grand Hall of
the Courthouse.
But the festivities don’t stop there according to the Icewine Committee Chair, Andrew Niven: “We are closing out the
celebrations again this year on the last weekend of the month with a second weekend of activities at the Icewine Village in
the Heritage District. January 26 and 27 will see two days of Icewine, culinary and ice displays. There will be lots to do,
with side trips inside the warm and welcoming shops and out to the local wineries,” he continues, “plus the Icebreakers
Comedy Festival from Thursday to Saturday evening will be a lot of laughs featuring local talent from the region.”
For detailed information on events or to purchase tickets call Tourism Niagara-on-the-Lake at 905-468-1950 or visit

www.originalicewinefestival.com.
-30Media are welcome to take part in the Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Festival.
Contact:
Nicole Cripps, 905 468 1950 , chamberevents@niagaraonthelake.com